YORK'S teenage swimming hero, Robin Francis, today set his sights on Olympic glory after beating the deadly brain bug meningitis.

RING OF CONFIDENCE: Robin Francis, who vowed: "I'm not going to let this get me down"

The 17-year-old was back with his family after being given the all-clear to go home from York District Hospital.

"I'm not going to let this get me down," vowed Robin, saying his goal was now to work towards competing for his country in the 2004 Olympics.

Junior Great Britain swimming international Robin was struck down with the illness just over two weeks ago, shortly after returning from a competition in Sweden.

He remained desperately ill for almost two weeks, before beginning to recover last Friday.

Robin's mother Gloria, of St Olave's Road, off Bootham, York, said: "He couldn't bear noise, he couldn't bear light, he couldn't eat or drink anything: he couldn't even keep water down. It was really quite frightening."

Gloria said doctors told her Robin had had the meningococcal form of the disease.

She added staff who looked after him on Ward 36 had been "fantastic".

Robin, who went for a short walk yesterday, admitted he was still feeling very weak following his ordeal, and it would be some time before he could begin training.

He said: "I lost so much weight, and because I didn't have any fat to start with, it has eaten away at my muscles.

"For the next couple of weeks I must take it fairly slowly, not do any real exercise.

Then I'm going to definitely try to pick myself up, get some exercise around the home.

"I don't know how long it will be before I'm back to swimming, but I'll do a few exercises first then speak to my coach."

He said he was relieved to be back home, even though the hospital staff who looked after him had been great.

"I got VIP treatment there: but I'm getting it at home as well, and it really lifts your spirits to get back home."

Robin, who trains at the Barbican and Yearsley baths, has a string of medals and awards to his name.

Most recently, he scooped gold with his Great Britain team-mates in the 100m freestyle at the Six Nations Junior International competition in Sweden at Easter.

Jackie Durrance, of the York Meningitis Help Group, said she was delighted Robin had made such a quick recovery - and that he would be an inspiration to others.

She said: "It's brilliant to hear that he's well and wants to get back to training. It's not going to happen overnight for him, but he's got something to aim for and he shows that you can beat this."

Robin's coach, Paddy Garratt, said today it was 'tremendous news' he was back home and on his feet.

He said he wouldn't be pushing Robin too hard, but had no doubt he could realise his dream of making it to the Olympic team.

He said: "He's got the ability and the talent. We won't be pushing it but he's got the determination and I don't see any reason why he cannot make it."

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